Battle of Lyon (1494)

The Battle of Lyon (1494) was a battle fought between the French royal army of Loys de Chabannes and an army of brigands led by Philippe Lyonnais. The French knights overwhelmed the brigand forces, and Chabannes earned a good reputation as a commander.

The battle was one of many actions undertaken by King Charles VIII of France to eradicated brigandage across southeastern France. The Governor of Lyon, Loys de Chabannes, was given 1,067 troops and sent to eliminate Lyonnais' brigand army of 501 troops to the north of Lyon, as Chabannes would be unable to march to reinforce Charles in Italy if the brigands posed a threat to the main French base in the region. The French royal forces made full use of their cavalry, with the knights charging across a foggy battlefield before locating the enemy. The brigands had some men armed with pikes, inflicting a few losses on the French, but the French were able to ride the brigands down and rout them. Lyonnais was slain in the battle, and his army of brigands melted away into the hills, with its remnants disbanding. The battle proved Chabannes' worth as a general.